Raccoons are among the most adaptable and intelligent mammals in North America, instantly recognizable by their distinctive black facial “mask,” ringed tail, and dexterous front paws that function almost like human hands. Scientifically known as Procyon lotor, raccoons thrive in a wide variety of habitats including forests, wetlands, farmland, suburbs, and even major cities, where their flexible diet and problem-solving abilities allow them to survive and often flourish alongside human populations. Because raccoons are opportunistic omnivores, their feeding habits are far more complex and varied than many people realize, extending well beyond the common image of them rummaging through trash cans at night.
Understanding what raccoons eat is important for several reasons, including wildlife conservation, ecosystem management, pest prevention, and humane coexistence in urban environments. Their diet influences bird populations, amphibian survival, agricultural crops, and even the spread of certain diseases. By studying raccoon feeding behavior, we gain insight into how adaptable mammals respond to seasonal changes, habitat fragmentation, and human expansion. Their dietary flexibility is one of the main reasons raccoons have expanded their range so successfully across North America and into parts of Europe and Asia.
So, what do raccoons eat? The short answer is: almost anything edible they can find. Raccoons consume a wide range of foods, including insects, small animals, fish, amphibians, reptiles, fruits, nuts, grains, garden vegetables, eggs, carrion, and even human food waste. Below are 50 foods raccoons are known to eat in the wild and around human environments:
- Insects
- Beetles
- Grasshoppers
- Crickets
- Worms
- Caterpillars
- Ants
- Spiders
- Snails
- Slugs
- Crayfish
- Shrimp
- Small fish
- Fish eggs
- Amphibians (frogs, toads)
- Tadpoles
- Small mammals (mice, rats)
- Birds
- Bird eggs
- Reptiles (lizards, snakes)
- Turtles
- Turtle eggs
- Frogs
- Berries
- Grapes
- Apples
- Pears
- Cherries
- Plums
- Nuts
- Acorns
- Seeds
- Corn
- Wheat
- Grains
- Roots
- Tubers
- Plant shoots
- Fruits (general)
- Vegetables
- Melons
- Cucumbers
- Pumpkin
- Garden produce
- Pet food (left out by humans)
- Garbage scraps
- Bread
- Eggs (general)
- Carrion (dead animals)
- Chicken (and other domestic poultry)
This remarkable variety highlights just how opportunistic raccoons truly are. Unlike strict carnivores or herbivores, raccoons adjust their diet based on availability, season, habitat, and competition. In forested wetlands, they may focus heavily on crayfish, frogs, and aquatic insects, while in agricultural areas they may consume corn, fruit, and small rodents. In cities, their menu often expands to include pet food, leftovers, and discarded human food. This dietary flexibility is a key factor behind their ecological success.
In the following sections, we will explore each of these 50 foods in detail, beginning with the most common wild prey items. You will learn how raccoons find their food, why certain foods are nutritionally important, how their diet changes throughout the year, and what role their feeding habits play in maintaining ecological balance.
What Do Raccoons Eat in the Wild?
1. Insects
Insects form one of the most important components of a wild raccoon’s diet, particularly during spring and summer when insect populations surge and protein demands increase due to breeding, nursing, and growth. As opportunistic omnivores with highly sensitive front paws, raccoons excel at locating insects beneath leaf litter, under rotting logs, within tree bark, and along riverbanks where moisture attracts countless invertebrates. Their flexible fingers allow them to feel movement in soil and debris, enabling them to detect beetle larvae, grubs, and other hidden prey even in low light conditions, since raccoons are primarily nocturnal foragers.
From a nutritional standpoint, insects provide raccoons with concentrated protein, healthy fats, and essential micronutrients that support muscle development, fur condition, immune function, and overall energy balance. During warmer months, insects are abundant and easy to capture, making them an efficient energy source compared to chasing faster prey such as rodents or birds. Young raccoons learning to forage often begin with insects because they are easier to catch, allowing juveniles to develop hunting skills without high risk. In wetlands and forests, raccoons may consume hundreds of insects in a single night, demonstrating just how central these small creatures are to their wild diet.
2. Beetles
Beetles are among the most frequently consumed insects in a raccoon’s natural habitat, largely because they are widespread, slow-moving, and often found in predictable locations such as beneath bark, inside decaying wood, or burrowed into soil. Raccoons use their keen sense of touch to flip over stones, pry apart logs, and dig shallow holes in search of beetle larvae, which are particularly rich in fat and protein. Ground beetles, scarab beetles, and wood-boring beetles are all fair game, and raccoons rarely pass up the opportunity to feast on large clusters of larvae hidden inside fallen trees.
The nutritional value of beetles and their larvae makes them especially important during periods when larger prey is scarce, as larvae are packed with energy-dense fat reserves designed to fuel their metamorphosis. For raccoons, this translates into an efficient source of calories with minimal effort. In agricultural areas, raccoons may also consume beetles found in crop fields, which can indirectly reduce pest populations, though their presence in fields sometimes leads to crop damage as they search for additional food sources.
3. Grasshoppers
Grasshoppers become a significant seasonal food source for raccoons in open fields, meadows, and farmland during late summer when these insects reach peak abundance. Though grasshoppers are more mobile than beetles, raccoons compensate with stealth and patience, creeping through tall grasses at dusk and using sudden pounces to capture them. Their omnivorous nature allows them to take advantage of these protein-rich insects when plant-based foods begin to mature, creating a mixed seasonal diet that supports fat accumulation before colder months arrive.
Grasshoppers provide lean protein and moderate fat content, contributing to muscle maintenance and energy storage. In years when rodent populations decline, raccoons may rely more heavily on insects like grasshoppers to meet dietary needs. This dietary flexibility helps raccoons remain resilient in fluctuating ecosystems, where food availability can shift dramatically from year to year.
4. Crickets
Crickets, often active at night, align perfectly with the raccoon’s nocturnal feeding schedule. Found in grassy areas, woodland edges, and even suburban lawns, crickets are easy targets for raccoons that use both hearing and touch to locate them. The distinctive chirping of crickets may even aid raccoons in pinpointing concentrations of prey, particularly in quiet rural environments.
Although small, crickets are consumed in large numbers, providing a steady supply of protein and trace minerals. For juvenile raccoons, crickets represent manageable prey that helps refine coordination and hunting reflexes. In suburban environments, crickets living near artificial lighting or garden areas may inadvertently attract raccoons closer to human dwellings, blending natural feeding habits with urban exploration.
5. Worms
Earthworms and other soil-dwelling worms are staple foods for raccoons, particularly after rainfall when worms surface and become highly accessible. Raccoons are frequently observed probing lawns and soft soil with their front paws, creating small holes as they extract worms from underground burrows. Their sensitive tactile receptors allow them to detect subtle movements in moist soil, giving them an advantage in locating hidden prey.
Worms are rich in protein and moisture, making them both nourishing and hydrating. During dry seasons, worms may become harder to find, but after storms they can provide an abundant and easily captured food source. In urban settings, raccoons may forage in gardens and parks for worms, sometimes leading homeowners to notice small patches of disturbed turf where raccoons have been feeding overnight.
6. Caterpillars
Caterpillars are another seasonal insect prey that raccoons consume opportunistically, particularly in wooded habitats where defoliating caterpillars may be present in high numbers. Raccoons may pluck caterpillars from leaves, tree trunks, and low branches, carefully handling them before consumption. Although some caterpillars possess defensive hairs or toxins, raccoons generally avoid brightly colored species and focus on safer varieties.
Nutritionally, caterpillars are energy-dense due to the fats stored for metamorphosis, offering raccoons a valuable food source during spring and early summer. When caterpillar outbreaks occur, raccoons can benefit from this temporary abundance, illustrating how closely their diet is tied to ecological cycles and insect population dynamics.
7. Ants
Ants may seem insignificant individually, but raccoons often consume them in large quantities when encountering ant nests or colonies. By scratching open soil or dismantling rotting logs, raccoons gain access to worker ants, larvae, and pupae, which are softer and more nutritious than adult ants. This behavior is similar to that of bears, though on a smaller scale.
Ant larvae contain higher fat content than adult ants, making them especially attractive as a food source. While ants alone do not sustain raccoons, they supplement the diet with additional protein and micronutrients, particularly during periods when other prey is less abundant.
8. Spiders
Spiders are opportunistic additions to the raccoon diet, typically consumed when encountered beneath rocks, inside wood piles, or within vegetation. Although spiders are not a primary food source, raccoons do not ignore them, especially larger ground-dwelling species that are easier to capture.
As insectivores themselves, spiders indirectly represent a transfer of nutrients up the food chain. While they contribute only a small portion of caloric intake, they reflect the raccoon’s willingness to consume nearly any small animal it encounters during nightly foraging.
9. Snails
Snails are commonly eaten by raccoons in damp woodland and wetland environments where these slow-moving mollusks are abundant. Using their dexterous paws, raccoons can manipulate snail shells and extract the soft body inside, sometimes cracking thinner shells with their teeth.
Snails provide protein and calcium, which may support bone health and reproductive functions. Their slow movement makes them easy prey, and after rainfall raccoons may encounter them in large numbers along trails, garden beds, or forest floors.
10. Slugs
Slugs, lacking protective shells, are even easier for raccoons to consume than snails and are frequently eaten in moist habitats. These soft-bodied invertebrates are rich in moisture and moderate protein, contributing both hydration and nutrition. Raccoons often find slugs beneath logs, stones, and garden debris.
Although slugs alone do not form a substantial portion of the diet, they demonstrate the raccoon’s ability to exploit virtually every edible opportunity within its environment. By consuming slugs and other invertebrates, raccoons help regulate populations of small invertebrate species, reinforcing their role as adaptable omnivores within diverse ecosystems.
11. Crayfish
Crayfish are one of the most important aquatic food sources for raccoons, especially in wetlands, marshes, rivers, and lakeshores where these crustaceans are abundant and relatively easy to catch. Raccoons are frequently observed wading through shallow water at night, using their remarkably sensitive front paws to feel along the muddy bottom for movement, and when a crayfish attempts to dart backward, the raccoon reacts with swift precision, pinning it against the substrate before bringing it to shore to consume. Their tactile hunting method allows them to locate prey even in murky water where visibility is low, giving them a major advantage over strictly visual predators.
Crayfish provide high-quality protein, healthy fats, and essential minerals such as calcium, which supports bone strength and reproductive health. Because crayfish are abundant in many freshwater systems, they often form a reliable portion of the raccoon diet throughout warmer months. In fact, in some wetland ecosystems, crayfish may represent one of the primary animal proteins raccoons consume, particularly when terrestrial prey is scarce. This strong association with aquatic habitats explains why raccoons are often seen near streams and ponds, where food availability remains steady even during dry seasons.
12. Shrimp
In coastal environments and brackish marshes, raccoons expand their diet to include shrimp, which they capture in tidal pools, estuaries, and shallow shoreline waters. Similar to their crayfish-hunting technique, raccoons rely heavily on touch rather than sight, feeling for sudden movements and quickly scooping shrimp from the water before they can escape. This adaptability allows raccoons to thrive not only in inland forests but also along coastal ecosystems where marine resources are seasonally abundant.
Shrimp are nutritionally valuable, offering lean protein and trace minerals that support muscle maintenance and metabolic processes. Coastal raccoon populations often exhibit slight dietary differences compared to inland populations, with seafood playing a much larger role in their caloric intake. This flexibility highlights one of the raccoon’s greatest strengths as a species: its ability to exploit whatever resources are most accessible within its immediate habitat.
13. Small Fish
Small fish are another key aquatic prey item for raccoons, particularly in shallow creeks, ponds, and flooded fields where fish may become trapped or concentrated in limited water areas. Raccoons hunt fish opportunistically, waiting quietly along the water’s edge before lunging forward with surprising speed. Their sharp teeth and strong jaws allow them to quickly dispatch slippery prey, and they often consume fish on land after carrying them from the water.
Fish provide essential omega fatty acids, protein, and hydration, making them especially beneficial during periods of high energy demand such as breeding season. In agricultural areas with irrigation canals or flooded rice fields, raccoons may take advantage of temporary fish concentrations. This behavior sometimes brings them into conflict with fish farms, but in natural ecosystems, fish predation contributes to balanced aquatic population control.
14. Fish Eggs
During spawning seasons, raccoons may feed heavily on fish eggs deposited in shallow waters along riverbanks and lakeshores. These nutrient-rich eggs are packed with proteins and fats intended to support developing fish embryos, making them an efficient and energy-dense food source for opportunistic predators like raccoons.
Because fish eggs are stationary and often laid in clusters, they require minimal effort to harvest, allowing raccoons to maximize energy intake while conserving effort. While predation on fish eggs may reduce survival rates for some fish populations, it is part of a broader ecological balance in which multiple species feed on spawning events.
15. Amphibians (Frogs and Toads)
Frogs and toads are frequently consumed by raccoons in wetlands, forest ponds, and marshy environments. Raccoons hunt amphibians primarily at night when frogs are active and vocal, using sound as a clue to locate prey. With quick reflexes, raccoons capture frogs along shorelines or within shallow water, often swallowing smaller individuals whole.
Amphibians provide high-protein nourishment and moderate fat content, helping raccoons maintain strength and energy. Although some toads possess mild toxins, raccoons typically consume species that pose minimal risk or may avoid the most toxic parts of the animal. Seasonal amphibian migrations can temporarily increase food availability, creating feeding opportunities that raccoons readily exploit.
16. Tadpoles
Tadpoles represent an easy seasonal food source during spring and early summer when amphibians breed and lay eggs in shallow pools. Raccoons wading in these waters may scoop up clusters of tadpoles with minimal effort. Because tadpoles are slow-moving and often densely concentrated, they provide a quick meal without the need for extended pursuit.
While individually small, tadpoles can be consumed in large quantities, supplying protein and moisture. Their availability is closely tied to rainfall patterns and seasonal wetland conditions, demonstrating how raccoon diets shift according to environmental cycles.
17. Small Mammals (Mice and Rats)
Small mammals such as mice and rats are important terrestrial prey for raccoons, particularly during colder months when insect populations decline. Raccoons hunt rodents by listening for rustling sounds in grass or leaf litter, then pouncing swiftly to pin them down. Their sharp canine teeth and strong jaws make short work of small prey.
Rodents provide dense protein and fat, which are crucial for building fat reserves before winter. In rural and suburban areas, raccoons may find rodents near barns, grain stores, and compost piles, blending natural predation with human-altered environments. By preying on rodents, raccoons may indirectly reduce pest populations, although their presence can sometimes cause concern among homeowners.
18. Birds
Raccoons occasionally prey on birds, especially ground-nesting species or young birds unable to fly. Their climbing ability allows them to access low nests in shrubs or trees, where they may capture fledglings or adult birds resting at night. Although birds are not a primary food source compared to aquatic prey or insects, they represent opportunistic additions to the raccoon’s diet.
Bird meat offers high-quality protein and fat, making it nutritionally valuable when available. However, bird predation is typically opportunistic rather than targeted, occurring when raccoons encounter vulnerable individuals during routine foraging.
19. Bird Eggs
Bird eggs are a favored seasonal food, particularly during spring nesting season. Raccoons use their dexterous paws to carefully remove eggs from nests, cracking shells with their teeth to access the nutrient-rich contents inside. Eggs are packed with proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals designed to nourish developing embryos, making them extremely energy-dense.
This feeding behavior can significantly impact local bird populations if nest predation rates are high, especially in fragmented habitats where nests are more exposed. Nonetheless, egg predation is a natural ecological interaction, and raccoons play a role in regulating certain bird populations.
20. Reptiles (Lizards and Snakes)
Raccoons also consume reptiles such as lizards and small snakes, particularly in warmer climates where these animals are abundant. Reptiles are usually captured during nighttime foraging when temperatures are moderate and activity levels increase. Raccoons rely on quick reflexes to grab and subdue wriggling prey.
Reptiles provide protein and essential nutrients, though they typically form a smaller percentage of the overall diet compared to insects or aquatic prey. Their inclusion demonstrates the raccoon’s remarkable dietary breadth and ability to exploit diverse ecological niches across North America and beyond.
21. Turtles
Turtles are an opportunistic but nutritionally valuable prey item for raccoons, particularly in wetlands, slow-moving rivers, marshes, and ponds where freshwater turtle populations are common and accessible along muddy shorelines. Raccoons often encounter turtles while foraging at night, and although adult turtles possess protective shells, raccoons use their strength and dexterity to flip smaller turtles onto their backs or target soft-bodied areas such as limbs and neck when exposed. In many cases, juvenile turtles are far more vulnerable than adults, and raccoons may focus their efforts on young individuals that cannot yet fully defend themselves.
Turtle meat provides dense protein and fat, making it an energy-rich reward for the effort required to subdue them. In ecosystems where turtle nests are abundant, raccoons may regularly patrol nesting beaches or riverbanks during egg-laying season, taking advantage of both adult turtles and their offspring. Although this predation can significantly affect local turtle populations, especially in areas where habitat loss has already reduced nesting success, it represents a natural ecological interaction in which raccoons act as mid-level predators balancing reptile numbers within freshwater systems.
22. Turtle Eggs
Turtle eggs are one of the most sought-after seasonal food sources for raccoons because they are nutrient-dense, stationary, and often laid in predictable nesting sites along sandy banks, lakeshores, and coastal dunes. Using their highly sensitive front paws and keen sense of smell, raccoons can detect freshly buried nests and dig them up with surprising efficiency, consuming dozens of eggs in a single feeding event if they encounter a large clutch.
Eggs are packed with fats, proteins, and essential vitamins that provide concentrated calories, making them particularly valuable during breeding season when adult raccoons require additional energy to support their own reproductive efforts. While egg predation may reduce hatchling survival rates, especially in areas with high raccoon densities, it is part of the complex predator-prey dynamics that shape reptile population cycles in both natural and human-altered environments.
23. Frogs
Although amphibians were previously discussed, frogs deserve individual attention because they are among the most frequently captured vertebrate prey in wetland habitats. Frogs are often active at night, calling from shallow water or resting near vegetation, and raccoons use both sound and movement to locate them before striking with rapid paw movements. The combination of stealth and tactile sensitivity allows raccoons to capture frogs even in dim light conditions where visibility is limited.
Frog meat supplies lean protein and hydration, which is especially important during warmer months when raccoons are highly active and expending significant energy. Because frog populations fluctuate seasonally, raccoons may feed heavily on them during peak breeding periods and less so when amphibians become scarce, demonstrating once again how raccoon diets shift dynamically in response to local availability.
24. Berries
Berries are a critical plant-based component of the raccoon diet, particularly during late summer and early autumn when wild fruit production reaches its peak. Species such as blackberries, blueberries, elderberries, and mulberries provide simple sugars that are quickly converted into energy, helping raccoons accumulate fat reserves before winter. Raccoons often forage along forest edges, hedgerows, and thickets where berry-producing shrubs are abundant.
In addition to carbohydrates, berries supply antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, supporting overall digestive health. By consuming berries and later dispersing seeds through their droppings, raccoons contribute to plant propagation, inadvertently aiding forest regeneration and shrub distribution across landscapes.
25. Grapes
Wild grapes and cultivated vineyard grapes are both attractive to raccoons due to their high sugar content and soft texture. In wooded areas, raccoons climb vines to reach clusters of ripe fruit, using their nimble paws to pull grapes free. In agricultural settings, vineyards can experience damage when raccoons feed repeatedly on ripening crops.
Grapes provide quick energy through natural sugars and water content, making them ideal during warm months when hydration is essential. While not a primary food source year-round, grapes are eagerly consumed when available, reflecting the raccoon’s opportunistic feeding strategy and preference for calorie-dense seasonal foods.
26. Apples
Apples, particularly fallen fruit from orchards or backyard trees, are frequently eaten by raccoons in both rural and suburban environments. Raccoons typically wait until fruit drops to the ground, reducing the need for climbing and conserving energy. Fallen apples ferment as they ripen, and raccoons readily consume even overripe or partially decayed fruit.
Apples provide carbohydrates, fiber, and hydration, making them a valuable supplement to animal prey. In many regions, apple orchards become feeding hotspots during harvest season, and raccoons may return nightly to take advantage of this predictable food source.
27. Pears
Pears, similar to apples, are consumed when available in orchards, gardens, or wild-growing trees. Their soft flesh and high sugar content make them easy to chew and digest. Raccoons often target windfallen pears, though they may climb low branches if fruit remains accessible.
The nutritional benefits mirror those of other fleshy fruits, offering carbohydrates for energy and fiber for digestive support. Pear consumption typically peaks in late summer and early fall, coinciding with fruit maturation cycles.
28. Cherries
Cherries are highly attractive to raccoons due to their sweetness and abundance in certain habitats. Whether wild chokecherries or cultivated sweet cherries, these fruits are consumed directly from trees or gathered from the ground. Raccoons skillfully pluck fruit clusters using their dexterous forepaws.
Cherries provide rapid energy through natural sugars and also contain antioxidants that may support cellular health. In some agricultural regions, raccoons feeding on cherries can create noticeable crop losses, but in wild ecosystems they contribute to seed dispersal and forest renewal.
29. Plums
Plums are another soft, sugar-rich fruit that raccoons readily incorporate into their diet when in season. Their thin skins and juicy interiors make them easy to consume, and raccoons often feed beneath plum trees where fallen fruit accumulates.
Like other fruits, plums supply hydration and carbohydrates that help raccoons build fat reserves. Because plums often ripen during warm months, they complement the raccoon’s broader seasonal strategy of maximizing caloric intake before colder weather reduces food availability.
30. Nuts
Nuts, including acorns, walnuts, and other tree seeds, become especially important in autumn when raccoons prepare for winter. Unlike soft fruits, nuts provide fats and long-lasting energy, supporting metabolic needs during periods of reduced activity. Raccoons crack softer nuts with their teeth and may manipulate shells using their forepaws.
High fat content makes nuts a strategic food source for accumulating body reserves. In forest ecosystems, raccoons contribute to seed dispersal by transporting and occasionally caching nuts, though they are less specialized seed hoarders than squirrels. Their ability to shift from protein-rich animal prey in spring and summer to carbohydrate- and fat-rich plant foods in fall illustrates the remarkable adaptability that has allowed raccoons to thrive across diverse habitats.
31. Corn
Corn is one of the most frequently consumed agricultural crops by raccoons, especially in rural and farming regions where cornfields provide both food and cover. Raccoons typically enter cornfields at night, moving along field edges before venturing deeper into rows where ears are ripening. Using their dexterous forepaws, they peel back husks with surprising efficiency and consume the sweet kernels directly from the cob, often targeting milk-stage or fully ripened ears that are soft and high in sugar.
Nutritionally, corn offers carbohydrates that are easily converted into energy, making it an ideal food source during late summer when raccoons are increasing caloric intake in preparation for cooler months. While corn is plant-based and lower in protein compared to animal prey, its abundance and predictability make it highly attractive. In some agricultural areas, raccoon feeding can cause noticeable crop damage, but ecologically it demonstrates their remarkable ability to exploit human-altered landscapes while maintaining their omnivorous flexibility.
32. Wheat
Wheat is not typically a primary food source in wild forest habitats, but in agricultural zones raccoons may feed on wheat fields, particularly when grains are accessible at ground level. They are more likely to consume spilled grain, harvested residues, or stored wheat found near barns and storage facilities rather than actively stripping standing crops.
As a grain, wheat provides carbohydrates and small amounts of protein, supporting energy needs during periods when animal prey may be less abundant. Raccoons are opportunistic rather than specialized grain feeders, yet their willingness to consume wheat underscores their dietary plasticity and ability to incorporate virtually any accessible plant matter into their feeding routine.
33. Other Grains
Beyond corn and wheat, raccoons may consume oats, barley, sorghum, and other cereal grains when available, especially in farming communities or near livestock feeding areas. Spilled grain around silos or feeding troughs can attract raccoons regularly, creating predictable foraging spots that reduce the need for extensive nightly travel.
Grains serve as quick-energy foods due to their carbohydrate content, although they lack the high protein and fat concentrations found in animal prey. For raccoons, grains represent supplemental nutrition rather than dietary staples, yet in human-dominated landscapes they may form a consistent component of the overall food intake.
34. Roots
Raccoons occasionally dig for roots in soft soil, particularly during early spring or late fall when other food sources become scarce. Using their strong forelimbs and sensitive paws, they probe beneath leaf litter and shallow soil layers in search of edible underground plant parts. Although they are not specialized root foragers like wild pigs, raccoons will opportunistically consume certain starchy or moisture-rich roots when encountered.
Roots provide carbohydrates and, in some cases, trace minerals that support survival during lean seasons. This behavior reflects the raccoon’s capacity to diversify its diet under challenging environmental conditions, ensuring access to alternative energy sources when surface foods are limited.
35. Tubers
Tubers such as wild potatoes or similar underground plant structures may also be consumed when raccoons uncover them while digging for insects or other prey. Tubers are energy-dense due to their starch content, making them beneficial during colder months when caloric needs increase and prey availability decreases.
Although not a dominant dietary component, tubers demonstrate the raccoon’s opportunistic feeding strategy, where nearly any edible plant structure encountered during foraging may become part of the meal. Their flexible digestive system allows them to process both plant starches and animal proteins efficiently.
36. Plant Shoots
Young plant shoots and tender vegetation are sometimes eaten during spring when fresh growth emerges across forests, wetlands, and fields. Raccoons may nibble on soft stems or leafy shoots while foraging for insects among vegetation. These plant materials are typically consumed incidentally rather than targeted as primary food items.
Plant shoots provide small amounts of fiber and moisture, supplementing the raccoon’s varied intake. This seasonal browsing further illustrates how raccoons adapt their diet to what the environment naturally offers at different times of the year.
37. Wild Fruits (General)
Beyond specific fruits like berries and apples, raccoons consume a wide range of wild fruits depending on geographic region, including persimmons, pawpaws, figs, and other native fruit-bearing plants. These fruits are especially important during late summer and fall when they ripen in abundance.
Wild fruits supply simple sugars for rapid energy conversion, aiding fat accumulation before winter. By dispersing seeds through their droppings, raccoons inadvertently contribute to forest regeneration and plant distribution, playing a subtle but meaningful ecological role within their habitats.
38. Garden Vegetables
In suburban and rural environments, raccoons frequently raid vegetable gardens, consuming tomatoes, squash, beans, lettuce, and other cultivated produce. They are particularly attracted to soft, ripe vegetables that require minimal effort to chew and digest.
Vegetables offer hydration and modest nutritional value, though they are less calorie-dense than animal prey or fruits. Garden feeding often brings raccoons into closer contact with humans, highlighting the intersection between wildlife behavior and residential food availability.
39. Melons
Melons such as watermelon and cantaloupe are highly attractive to raccoons due to their sweetness and high water content. Raccoons often tear open the rind to access the juicy interior, consuming both flesh and sometimes seeds. In hot climates, melons provide hydration as well as carbohydrates.
Their strong sense of smell helps them locate ripening melons in gardens or fields, and repeated visits may occur if the food source remains accessible. Melons serve as seasonal treats rather than staples but are eagerly eaten when encountered.
40. Cucumbers
Cucumbers, commonly grown in home gardens, are another plant-based food raccoons may consume opportunistically. Although not as energy-rich as fruits or grains, cucumbers contain water and small amounts of nutrients that supplement the raccoon’s diverse diet.
Feeding on cucumbers typically occurs alongside other garden produce, reflecting the raccoon’s tendency to sample multiple available foods within a single foraging session. Their willingness to eat such a wide variety of plant matter underscores their classification as highly adaptable omnivores capable of thriving across forests, wetlands, farmland, and urban landscapes alike.
41. Pumpkin
Pumpkins become a seasonal feast for raccoons in late summer and autumn, particularly in agricultural fields and suburban gardens. The soft flesh, seeds, and moisture-rich interior make pumpkins an attractive food source when cracked open or damaged. Raccoons use their strong paws and sharp teeth to tear through the rind, gaining access to the sweet pulp inside.
Nutritionally, pumpkins provide carbohydrates, fiber, and trace vitamins. The seeds also contain fats and protein, which are valuable during fall fattening periods before winter. While pumpkins are not a primary wild staple, they represent another example of how raccoons readily exploit seasonal plant foods when available.
42. Garden Produce
Beyond specific vegetables, raccoons consume a broad range of backyard produce including tomatoes, beans, peas, squash, peppers, and leafy greens. They often sample multiple items during a single visit, tasting and discarding pieces as they feed. This selective feeding behavior reflects both curiosity and nutritional opportunism.
Garden produce typically supplies water, natural sugars, and plant-based nutrients. Although not as calorie-dense as meat, these foods contribute to dietary variety. Unfortunately for homeowners, raccoons can cause noticeable crop loss, particularly when gardens are left unprotected overnight.
43. Pet Food (Left Outdoors)
Pet food left outdoors is one of the most significant attractants for raccoons in suburban and urban areas. Dry kibble and canned food are nutritionally concentrated, often containing high levels of protein and fat designed for domestic animals. For raccoons, this represents an easy, predictable meal requiring little effort.
Because pet food is balanced and calorie-dense, raccoons may repeatedly return to feeding stations, increasing human-wildlife interactions. Wildlife professionals strongly recommend removing pet food at night to prevent habituation and reduce potential conflicts.
44. Garbage Scraps
Raccoons are famous for raiding garbage bins, using their dexterous paws to open lids and manipulate packaging. Household trash may contain meat scraps, leftover vegetables, fruit peels, bread, dairy products, and other discarded food items. Their strong sense of smell enables them to locate edible waste quickly.
While garbage provides calories, it may also expose raccoons to unhealthy or harmful substances. Nevertheless, in urban ecosystems, human waste has become a dependable supplemental food source, contributing to raccoons’ success in city environments.
45. Bread
Bread is not a natural food for raccoons, yet they readily consume it when found in garbage, parks, or feeding areas. Bread supplies carbohydrates but lacks the balanced nutrition raccoons require. It may fill the stomach without delivering adequate protein or essential nutrients.
Although raccoons can digest bread, relying on it heavily is unhealthy. Feeding bread intentionally to wildlife is discouraged, as it can promote dependency and poor nutrition.
46. Eggs (General)
Raccoons actively seek eggs from ground nests, tree cavities, poultry coops, and reptile nesting sites. Their nimble paws allow them to grasp and crack eggs with remarkable precision. They may consume the contents on the spot or carry eggs to a safer feeding location.
Eggs are rich in protein and fat, making them highly nutritious. For growing juveniles and nursing females, eggs provide essential nutrients that support development and reproduction. This predatory behavior also influences bird and reptile population dynamics in certain habitats.
47. Carrion (Dead Animals)
Raccoons do not hesitate to scavenge carrion when encountered. Roadkill, naturally deceased wildlife, or abandoned carcasses provide substantial protein and fat with minimal hunting effort. Scavenging behavior is especially common during winter when live prey may be harder to capture.
By consuming carrion, raccoons contribute to ecosystem sanitation, helping break down organic matter and recycle nutrients back into the environment. However, carrion feeding may also expose them to parasites or disease, representing a trade-off between opportunity and risk.
48. Chicken (Domestic Poultry)
In rural settings, raccoons occasionally prey on domestic chickens if coops are unsecured. They are capable climbers and can manipulate simple latches, entering enclosures at night. Chickens provide high-quality protein and fat, similar to wild birds but in a more predictable location.
This behavior often leads to conflict with farmers, underscoring the importance of reinforced housing for poultry. While domestic poultry is not a natural prey species, raccoons adapt quickly to accessible food sources.
49. Fish Scraps
Fish remains discarded near docks, campsites, or lakeshores attract raccoons with their strong scent. These scraps may include heads, entrails, or filleted carcasses left by anglers. Rich in protein and omega fats, fish remains offer concentrated nutrition.
Raccoons living near water bodies often incorporate both live fish and fish scraps into their diet. This opportunistic scavenging further demonstrates their ability to benefit from human recreation activities.
50. Processed Human Food
In highly urbanized environments, raccoons sometimes consume processed human foods such as snack items, fast food leftovers, and sugary treats found in trash. While calorically dense, these foods are nutritionally imbalanced and may negatively impact health if consumed frequently.
Despite this, raccoons thrive in cities largely because of abundant anthropogenic food. Their intelligence and problem-solving skills enable them to exploit these resources effectively, though wildlife experts emphasize minimizing intentional feeding to maintain healthy, natural behaviors.
How Diet Varies by Region
Raccoon diets vary significantly depending on geography, climate, and habitat type. In coastal regions, raccoons consume large amounts of aquatic prey such as crabs, crayfish, mussels, fish, and amphibians. Marshes, swamps, and riverbanks provide easy access to shellfish and small aquatic animals, which often make up a substantial portion of their diet. These raccoons may spend hours wading in shallow water, using their sensitive forepaws to detect movement beneath mud or sand.
In forested inland habitats, raccoons rely more heavily on fruits, nuts, insects, and small mammals. Oak forests, for example, provide acorns that are an important fall energy source. In agricultural areas, raccoons frequently consume corn, wheat, and garden crops, adapting quickly to human-modified landscapes. Urban raccoons differ the most; their diet may include garbage scraps, pet food, and processed leftovers, which can account for a surprisingly high percentage of their caloric intake.
Despite these regional differences, one constant remains: raccoons are opportunistic omnivores. Their flexible feeding strategy allows them to thrive from Canadian woodlands to tropical Central America and dense metropolitan cities.
Seasonal Diet Changes
Raccoon diets shift throughout the year in response to food availability and energy demands. In spring, they consume emerging insects, worms, amphibians, and bird eggs, which provide protein needed after winter dormancy. Spring is also breeding season, so females require extra nutrients to support pregnancy and nursing.
During summer, raccoons expand their diet to include abundant fruits, berries, crayfish, and small vertebrates. Juvenile raccoons begin learning to forage, often mimicking their mother’s food choices. Summer provides diversity and abundance, allowing raccoons to build strength and fat reserves.
Autumn is a critical fattening period. Raccoons consume calorie-dense foods such as nuts, acorns, corn, grapes, and other fruits. This seasonal feeding helps them accumulate fat stores that sustain them during winter.
In winter, raccoons reduce activity but do not truly hibernate. They rely on stored body fat and may scavenge carrion or raid garbage if necessary. Food scarcity leads to more opportunistic and scavenging behavior during colder months.
What Do Raccoons Eat in Captivity or Around Humans?
In zoos and wildlife rehabilitation centers, raccoons are typically fed balanced omnivorous diets that mimic their natural intake. Meals often include fruits, vegetables, eggs, fish, lean meats, and specially formulated carnivore diets. These controlled diets ensure proper nutrition and prevent obesity or deficiencies.
In suburban and urban environments, raccoons commonly consume pet food, compost scraps, garbage, and even birdseed. While these foods provide calories, they can encourage dependency and increase human-wildlife conflicts. Processed foods high in salt or sugar are particularly unhealthy for raccoons.
Foods that are unsafe include chocolate, heavily salted snacks, onions, and spoiled food containing harmful bacteria. Wildlife experts strongly discourage intentional feeding, as it can alter natural behavior and reduce a raccoon’s wariness of humans.
Feeding Behavior & Hunting Techniques
Raccoons are primarily nocturnal foragers, using their exceptional sense of touch to locate food. Their front paws contain a high concentration of nerve endings, allowing them to identify objects even in complete darkness. When near water, raccoons often dip or manipulate food items, a behavior sometimes mistaken for washing but actually related to sensory exploration.
They hunt small prey by stalking quietly and lunging quickly. For aquatic prey, raccoons wade slowly and feel for movement under rocks or in mud. When scavenging, they rely on their keen sense of smell to detect food from considerable distances.
Their teeth are adapted for both tearing meat and grinding plant matter, reflecting their omnivorous lifestyle. Strong jaw muscles allow them to crush shells and crack open tough food items such as nuts and eggs.
Ecological Role of the Raccoon’s Diet
Raccoons play an important ecological role as both predator and scavenger. By consuming insects and rodents, they help regulate populations that could otherwise become pests. Their predation on eggs and small animals influences bird and amphibian dynamics, contributing to natural population balance.
As scavengers, raccoons assist in cleaning ecosystems by consuming carrion. This behavior reduces disease spread and accelerates nutrient recycling. Additionally, when raccoons eat fruits and berries, they disperse seeds through their droppings, supporting plant regeneration.
Although sometimes viewed as nuisance animals, raccoons are integral members of many ecosystems and contribute to ecological stability.
Fun Facts About Raccoon Eating Habits
- Highly Sensitive Paws: A raccoon’s sense of touch becomes even more sensitive when wet, helping them detect aquatic prey.
- Problem Solvers: Raccoons can open complex latches and containers to access food.
- Memory Skills: Studies show raccoons can remember solutions to food puzzles for months.
- Seasonal Weight Gain: They may double their body fat percentage before winter.
- True Omnivores: Raccoons adapt their diet faster than many mammals when new food sources appear.
Conclusion
So, what do raccoons eat? The answer is remarkably diverse. From insects and crayfish to fruits, nuts, small mammals, bird eggs, and even human food scraps, raccoons are highly adaptable omnivores capable of thriving in forests, wetlands, farmland, and cities alike.
Their diet changes with seasons, geography, and opportunity, allowing them to survive in both wild and urban environments. While this adaptability contributes to their success, it also underscores the importance of responsible waste management and wildlife-friendly practices to reduce conflict.
Understanding what raccoons eat not only answers a fascinating biological question but also highlights their ecological importance as predators, scavengers, and seed dispersers. In the wild or near human settlements, raccoons remain one of North America’s most resourceful and intelligent feeders.
Frequently Asked Questions About What Raccoons Eat
1. What do raccoons eat most often in the wild?
Raccoons most commonly eat insects, fruits, nuts, crayfish, small fish, amphibians, and small mammals. Their diet depends heavily on season and habitat, but they are opportunistic omnivores that consume whatever is most available.
2. Are raccoons carnivores or omnivores?
Raccoons are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. Their flexible diet includes meat, insects, fruits, grains, and even human food scraps in urban areas.
3. Do raccoons eat fish?
Yes, raccoons frequently eat small fish. They catch fish in shallow water using their highly sensitive front paws to detect movement before grabbing their prey quickly.
4. Do raccoons eat birds?
Raccoons will eat birds when they have the opportunity, especially ground-nesting species or young birds in nests. However, birds are not always a primary food source.
5. Do raccoons eat bird eggs?
Yes, raccoons are known to raid nests for eggs. Eggs are rich in protein and fats, making them a valuable seasonal food source during spring.
6. Do raccoons eat frogs?
Frogs and other amphibians are common prey for raccoons, especially in wetlands, marshes, and near ponds or streams.
7. Do raccoons eat snakes?
Yes, raccoons may eat small snakes when encountered. They are opportunistic hunters and will consume reptiles if they can overpower them.
8. Do raccoons eat turtles?
Raccoons sometimes prey on small turtles and frequently dig up turtle nests to consume eggs, which are easier to access.
9. Do raccoons eat insects?
Insects are a major part of a raccoon’s diet, especially in spring and summer. Beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, and caterpillars are commonly consumed.
10. Do raccoons eat worms?
Yes, earthworms are an easy and nutritious food source, particularly after rainfall when worms are more accessible near the surface.
11. Do raccoons eat fruit?
Raccoons love fruit, including berries, apples, grapes, cherries, and plums. Fruit becomes especially important during summer and fall.
12. Do raccoons eat vegetables?
Yes, raccoons eat vegetables such as corn, cucumbers, pumpkin, and other garden produce, especially in agricultural or suburban areas.
13. Do raccoons eat corn?
Corn is a favorite food for raccoons in farming regions. They often raid cornfields at night to feed on ripening crops.
14. Do raccoons eat nuts?
Yes, raccoons consume acorns, walnuts, and other nuts in fall to build fat reserves before winter.
15. Do raccoons eat small mammals?
Raccoons may hunt mice, rats, squirrels, and other small mammals, especially when plant-based foods are less available.
16. Do raccoons eat carrion?
Yes, raccoons are scavengers and will eat dead animals. This helps recycle nutrients in ecosystems.
17. Do raccoons eat pet food?
Raccoons are attracted to pet food left outdoors. While convenient for them, this can create dependency and increase human-wildlife conflict.
18. Do raccoons eat garbage?
Yes, urban raccoons often forage through garbage cans for scraps. Their intelligence and dexterity allow them to open lids and containers.
19. Do raccoons eat bread?
Raccoons will eat bread if available, but it lacks proper nutrients and should not be intentionally provided.
20. What do baby raccoons eat?
Baby raccoons nurse on their mother’s milk for several weeks before gradually transitioning to solid foods such as insects and soft fruits.
21. Do raccoons hunt at night?
Yes, raccoons are primarily nocturnal and do most of their foraging after sunset.
22. Why do raccoons put food in water?
This behavior enhances their sense of touch. Wetting their paws increases sensitivity, helping them examine food more effectively.
23. Do raccoons eat berries?
Berries such as blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are important seasonal foods rich in sugars and antioxidants.
24. Do raccoons eat shrimp or crayfish?
Yes, in coastal or freshwater habitats, raccoons frequently eat crayfish and small crustaceans.
25. Do raccoons eat chickens?
Raccoons may prey on domestic chickens, particularly if coops are not secure.
26. Do raccoons eat amphibians?
Yes, raccoons eat frogs, toads, and tadpoles, especially near wetlands.
27. Do raccoons hibernate?
Raccoons do not truly hibernate, but they reduce activity in winter and rely on stored fat.
28. How much do raccoons eat daily?
The amount varies by size and season, but raccoons eat enough to maintain energy needs and may increase intake before winter.
29. Are raccoons picky eaters?
No, raccoons are highly adaptable and will eat almost anything edible they can access.
30. Do raccoons eat grapes?
Yes, grapes are a favorite fruit and are commonly consumed when available.
31. Do raccoons eat apples?
Fallen apples are frequently eaten in orchards and suburban areas.
32. Do raccoons eat seeds?
Yes, raccoons consume seeds, especially from fruits or agricultural crops.
33. Do raccoons eat snails?
Snails and slugs are eaten when found in moist environments.
34. Do raccoons eat crabs?
Coastal raccoons commonly eat small crabs and other marine invertebrates.
35. Do raccoons eat pumpkins?
Yes, raccoons will eat pumpkins, especially soft or carved ones left outdoors.
36. Do raccoons eat cucumbers?
Cucumbers from gardens are often raided during summer months.
37. Do raccoons eat wheat or grains?
Yes, raccoons consume grains such as wheat and other cereal crops.
38. Do raccoons eat plums?
Plums and other stone fruits are part of their fruit-based diet in summer and fall.
39. Do raccoons eat cherries?
Yes, raccoons enjoy cherries and may climb trees to access them.
40. Do raccoons eat roots or tubers?
Occasionally, raccoons dig up roots or tubers when other foods are scarce.
41. Do raccoons eat garden produce?
Yes, raccoons frequently raid gardens for vegetables and fruits.
42. Do raccoons eat melons?
Watermelons and other melons are attractive due to their sweetness and high water content.
43. Do raccoons eat domestic pets?
Healthy pets are rarely targeted, but very small animals may be vulnerable.
44. Are raccoons dangerous when feeding?
Raccoons can become defensive if cornered while feeding, so it is best to observe from a distance.
45. Do raccoons compete with other animals for food?
Yes, raccoons may compete with foxes, skunks, and opossums for similar food resources.
46. Do raccoons eat during the day?
While primarily nocturnal, raccoons may feed during daylight if food is abundant or competition is low.
47. How do raccoons find food?
They rely on smell, touch, and intelligence to locate and manipulate food sources.
48. Can raccoons digest meat easily?
Yes, raccoons have strong teeth and digestive systems capable of processing meat efficiently.
49. Do raccoons eat compost?
Yes, compost piles often attract raccoons due to the smell of decomposing food.
50. Why are raccoons so adaptable in their diet?
Their omnivorous nature, intelligence, dexterous paws, and strong problem-solving skills allow raccoons to exploit a wide range of food sources across many habitats.
51. What is the most important food for raccoons before winter?
Nuts, acorns, corn, and fruits are crucial in autumn because they help raccoons build fat reserves needed for winter survival.